The World Cup is barely cold and African international football is already in the middle of the biggest coaching shake-up in years. Six national teams have either changed managers or are staring at the decision in the weeks since the tournament's last-32 round emptied its knockout bracket.

Cape Verde coach Bubista — full name Pedro Brito — accepted the head coaching job at Moroccan club RS Berkane on 4 August, with media reports expecting him to leave his national-team post in the days that follow (Reuters). The 56-year-old guided the tiny island nation to the World Cup knockout stage, and his club move opened the door for the next chapter.

Algeria parted company with Vladimir Petkovic by mutual consent after they were knocked out of the tournament by Switzerland in the last 32. The 62-year-old Bosnian was appointed in February 2024 and had even extended his contract through 2028 earlier this year. That extension now means nothing.

Senegal moved faster and harder. They sacked Pape Thiaw outright after a last-32 defeat to Belgium, the Senegalese football federation calling the decision "in the best interests of Senegalese football." Senegal have since been linked with Patrick Vieira as a possible replacement, though nothing has been confirmed.

Ivory Coast and South Africa let nature take its course. The contracts of Emerse Fae and Hugo Broos respectively ran out at the end of July, and neither federation chose to renew them.

Tunisia, meanwhile, have already installed their next man. They appointed Chaabani on a four-year contract last month — a clean break after a chaotic group stage. The 45-year-old replaced Herve Renard, the well-travelled French coach who himself had taken over one game into Tunisia's Group F campaign after Sabri Lamouchi was removed following a 5-1 defeat by Sweden. Three coaches, one tournament.

Ghana sit in the middle ground. Carlos Queiroz led the Black Stars to the last 32, where they lost 1-0 to Colombia. Internal discussions are continuing at the Ghana Football Association about his future — but Queiroz appeared to announce his own departure on social media shortly after the Colombia defeat, which may settle the matter before the board does.

For fans of these national teams, the message is blunt: the World Cup was not kind, and the fallout is falling fast. Managers who were extended, trusted, or simply tolerated a few months ago are now gone — some politely, some not. The African game has long treated the post-World Cup window as a reset button. This cycle, the button has been pressed with unusual force.

The next few weeks will reveal who fills these vacancies and whether the new appointments stick. Several of the federation decisions look reactive rather than strategic. But that is the rhythm international football works to — and right now, the beat is relentless.